Ringworm: What is it - the Basics

Ringworm is a common fungal infection that occurs on the skin, which causes scaly rashes on the body at the site of the infection. Although the name originates from early belief that the rashes are caused by a worm, it is not related to worms. Although ringworm can occur in many areas of the body, the classic ringworm, Tinea corporis, produces round spots with a clear border that resembles a worm in shape. This fungal infection can occur in anyone, but is more common in children. It is spread through person to person contact or via shared items such as combs and brushes, which come into contact with the infected areas. For this reason, it is more common among youth who play sports, and is a very common problem among wrestlers in particular. In some cases, dogs and cats can pass the infection to people.

How to diagnose ringworm

A doctor can diagnose ringworm using skin scrapings, but the diagnosis is usually obvious upon inspection. On regular skin surfaces, ringworm infections will have clear borders that create a pink to red ring, with paler skin inside and outside the borders.